Saving Sycamore: The School Shooting That Never Happened

Praise for Saving Sycamore

How do you have compassion for a student sitting in your office with a loaded gun and the desire to kill? Saving Sycamore is the remarkable story of a woman whose compassion was stronger than the homicidal rage in the heart of a desperate student.

—Peter Langman, PhD, author of School Shooters: Understanding High School, College, and Adult Perpetrators; director of Research and School Safety Training, Drift Net Securities

An incredible book written by an extraordinary human being. For some reason, Molly Hudgens was put in the position to lead a community through the unimaginable events at her school on September 28, 2016. Saving Sycamore illustrates Molly’s leadership, compassion, faith, and vulnerability when the members of her school community needed her most on that fateful day and in the aftermath. This is a book about a faith journey.

—Frank DeAngelis, principal of Columbine High School, 1996–2014; author of They Call Me Mr. De: The Story of Columbine’s Heart, Resilience, and Recovery

As a middle school counselor, I was awed by Molly’s ability to put into words the battles we fight in our own hearts and minds as we try and navigate through the minefields and walls that so often surround the lives of young people. I would highly recommend this story for all to read as it gives to each of us the encouragement needed to face the fears and difficulties we encounter in life. It inspires each of us to reach out in love to those who are hurting.

—Gary Beikirch, Medal of Honor recipient; author of Blaze of Light

The Citizen Honors award shows that the average person possesses the same characteristics that the Medal of Honor recipients are recognized for. Not on the field of battle but in everyday life. The Medal of Honor recipients believe everyone has those characteristics and only need the opportunity to take the actions to demonstrate them. Molly Hudgens stepped up and saved an individual and protected an entire school. This book and her story will stand as a guide for all educators to mediate tragedies in schools by identifying problems before they turn violent.

—Charles C. Hagemeister, Medal of Honor recipient

Full disclosure: I already knew this story as I have the honor of working with Molly Hudgens. Regardless, I could not put this riveting book down. This amazing story is masterfully woven into a tapestry of suspense and grace with God as the major thread. You will be beyond blessed in multiple ways as you read this compelling tale.

—Cathy Beck, director of Cheatham County Schools; author of Mice in the Ivy and Leading Learning for ELL Students

We want our young people to know they don’t have to go into combat to become a hero. In conjunction with our Character Development Program (CDP), we honor citizens who are heroes and never went to war to become heroes. Molly is one of those we honored, and she is a perfect example of the citizens we hope to develop in our CDP. Her book will set an example and should be an inspiration to our educational community. I cannot recommend it too highly.

—Pat Brady, Medal of Honor recipient; author of Dead Men Flying

In Saving Sycamore, Molly Hudgens, through her words, but more importantly, through her actions on that September day, shows us that through faith, we can conquer anything, and often do the unthinkable. Molly was chosen to serve as an instrument of God, and her commitment to that immense responsibility saved the lives of many, and generations will be the recipients of her heroism and bravery. Saving Sycamore is an inspiring narrative that was cultivated from what was supposed to be another horrific tragedy. Faith and bold action won the day, and we all should be so bold.

—Travis Ellis, cofounder of the Shepherd’s Men; Congressional Medal of Honor Citizen Honors Recipient

Molly beautifully tells the story of how God prepared her and allowed her to calmly work with a troubled teenager that led not only to saving the teenager’s life but hers as well. It is inconceivable how many students’ lives were saved by deescalating the crisis and disarming the young student. Saving Sycamore is a must-read to learn how God worked to truly save lives at Sycamore Middle School.

—Major General William B. Raines, Jr., USA (retired); Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center Executive Board

Guided by an unshakable faith and a deep-seated passion for prevention, Molly Hudgens realized her purpose one ordinary school day. She saved a child and a school community the day danger and darkness walked through her office door. Through the courageous recounting of that day—and a lifetime of preparation—Molly reveals that there is hope and healing for all of us when we are willing to stand in the gap for another. The story of Saving Sycamore is the story of changing—and saving—lives through God’s perfect love and one woman’s perfect faith.

—Michele Gay, cofounder of Safe and Sound Schools; mother of Josephine Gay, killed in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School

The kind of courage Molly Hudgens is endowed with can only be acquired by having a deep faith in God, a quiet spirit, and an inordinate amount of common sense. This is the story of one unusual woman, acting alone, defusing a tragedy in the making, saving and changing lives in the process.

—Charlie Daniels, singer-songwriter; cofounder of the Journey Home Project; author of Let’s All Make the Day Count: The Everyday Wisdom of Charlie Daniels; Never Look at the Empty Seats: A Memoir; Ain’t No Rag: Freedom, Family, and the Flag; and The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Often we may not even recognize that we need help. Sometimes it is a friend or family member, someone close who can see that for us. Sometimes it is someone from outside our circle, even a stranger, who comes to our aid. Asking for help may be the most difficult thing we can ever do. This hero’s story is one of the sanctity of human life and someone’s faint cry for help among the raging static that fills our everyday lives. I challenge everyone to be as acutely attuned to the quiet sounds that could prevent a tragedy.

—John Coolidge, grandson of Medal of Honor Recipient Charles H. Coolidge

Courage and faith. The end result could have been horrific if it had not been for Molly Hudgens. Never underestimate the power of prayer in a difficult and seemingly impossible situation. Her courage and ability to listen to God’s still, small voice saved her life, the life of the would-be shooter, and the lives of many others that day at Sycamore Middle School.

—Sammy L. Davis, Medal of Honor recipient and author of You Don’t Lose ’Til You Quit Trying, and Dixie Davis, wife, mom, grandmother, and author of Endless Love and Second Chances

Saving Sycamore

The School Shooting That Never Happened

Molly Bradley Hudgens

Saving Sycamore: The School Shooting That Never Happened

© 2020 Molly Bradley Hudgens

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing by the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. For information regarding permission, contact the publisher at books@daveburgessconsulting.com.

This book is available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for educational purposes or as premiums, promotions, or fundraisers. For inquiries and details, contact the publisher at books@daveburgessconsulting.com.

Published by Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.

San Diego, CA

DaveBurgessConsulting.com

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version ® NIV ® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc.

TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020941031

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-951600-36-5

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-951600-37-2

Cover design and interior design by Liz Schreiter

Editing and production by Reading List Editorial: readinglisteditorial.com

This book is dedicated to my husband, Jason, and our two sons, Bradley Todd and Henry James. May you always know that you are my greatest gifts. Every day with you since September 28, 2016, has been a blessing of borrowed time.

To the 2016–2017 staff members of Sycamore Middle School: This is not my story; it is our story. Because of the school family you created and the role you played on September 28, 2016, all of us, and our students, are survivors.

Administrators: Lisa Young and Robyn Miller

Carolann Adcock

Carla Anderson

Katie Arnold

Sherry Bagwell

Angelia Bailey

Judy Bailey

Lisa Ballew

Lyndi Barnhill

Mandi Batson

Mallory Beecher

Deborah Boshers

Jesse Buck

Cindy Calton

Sheryl Carney

David Casesa

Kelly Cook

Paige Cooper

Gail Stone Costa

Dale Daniel

Brooke Daugherty

Christy Davis

Gail DeBusk

Sheena Edgin

Sherrie Everett

Adam Farley

Pam Forbes

Brandy Ford

Samantha Watts Fry

Rachel Garrison

Tracy Gillingham

SRO Chris Gilmore

Starr Hardin

Debbie Harlinger

Glenn Harlinger

Stan Harrington

Lori Hawkins

Lisa Hayes

Cory Hesselbacher

Ralph Hughes

Lindsay Jurek

Belinda Knight

Jennifer Lamb

Colin Logue

Lucy Longworth

Billie McBride

Jill McCain

Alex Mink

Jennifer Morris

Kristen Mundy

Carlton Odom

Kathryn Viola Penzo

Katie Petrone

Michael Petrone

Lindsey Plewa

Kyle Quillen

Kristy Rhemann

Steven Sellars

Matthew Shuff

Aimee Shute

Brittany Smiley

Sarah Smith

Elizabeth Southards

Kristen Stewart

Beth Stokes

Mark Stone

Paige Towle

Aaron Turnington

Petra Walls

Tracy Warren

Bethany Weeks

Connie Weeks

Jennifer Winters

Contents

Foreword

by Cara VanWinkle Adney

Introduction

Part I

The Preparation and the Protection

1. That Morning

2. My Beginning

3. The First Ten Minutes

4. Angels Unawares

5. The Gun

6. The Strangest Passion

7. The Battle

8. Jo Byrns School: Student Teaching and Trusting God’s Path

9. An Answered Prayer

Part II

The Process and the People

10. My Mentors in Education

11. Round Two

12. Jason and the Boys

13. I’m Fine

14. Aftermath and Steven

15. Knights of the Round Table

16. It Is Well with My Soul

Part III

The Present and the Progress

17. Cancer and the Medal of Honor

18. The Congressional Medal of Honor Citizen Honors

19. Tennessee’s Own Mr. Charles Henry Coolidge

20. The Shepherd’s Men

21. Sharing God’s Story

This Story Is Also Yours

Acknowledgments

About the Author

More from Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.

Foreword

by Cara VanWinkle Adney

When Molly called me on September 28, 2016, I immediately knew something was wrong. There was a stillness in her voice I had never heard before. I remember her saying something bad had happened and that she wanted to be sure I heard about it from her and not on the news. She paused for a half second, but during that time a thousand scenarios ran through my mind before she would begin to tell me what had occurred at school earlier that day.

This conversation was far different than any conversation we’d ever had. Molly’s stories had always been filled with detail (as you’ll soon learn) and, for a girl from the South, when she was excited, they were extremely fast-paced. This wasn’t the case on September 28.

On this day, her voice was calm and steady. She kept everything brief, but I could feel her fear, relief, and resolve from her home in Ashland City, Tennessee, to mine in Stillwater, Oklahoma. As she spoke, I sat in silence, trying to process what the previous hours had been like for her. There were no words to say—I could only listen and thank God that she had the faith and strength to connect with this young man and prevent something disastrous from happening at Sycamore Middle School.

More than twenty years have passed since I first met Molly. I was a freshman at Western Kentucky University, and she was a sophomore who lived across from me in Central Hall. It didn’t take long for us to become friends. Molly was outgoing, friendly, and most of all, she was welcoming. She’s always had a way of making people feel comfortable and safe. Her spirit and soul are inviting. Even back then, when you were with her you could let your guard down and be vulnerable.

Cara VanWinkle Adney (right) was my college roommate at Western Kentucky University and remains a dear friend.

We spent two years as neighbors before we became roommates during her senior year. In the two semesters we lived together, we solidified a friendship like neither of us had ever experienced. As adults, time and distance pulled us in different directions, but months before this fateful day, Molly and I had reconnected. Through our hundreds of text messages and